Having the site down allowed for a tremendous amount of backend work to be done (a more thorough IT explanation in the next post). For those not familiar with that side of things, an analogy would be that we were constantly maintaining, patching and repairing a crumbling building. The last few days enabled the old building to be demolished, new foundations laid, materials tested and then assembled.

Now, we can, without constant distraction,...

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Hope no one minds but I'm going to close/lock this thread and correspond directly with the posters above via email. Juggling a few too many things atm, still IT stuff :dunno: .

goulaigan will be first on my list of emails. The email will be called rsync nightmare.

:) Thanks again for the above,
Pat

P.S. That busy that Sarah and I haven't even had a beer together in the last fortnight :O

The following problems should only affect a tiny fraction of users.
If using Google Chrome, you may find ; upon registration, after solving the Captcha or 'Sortable' correctly you are told you are incorrect; not being able to login using your proper username and password; when posting, finding the 'Add Files' button not working.

Solution/s

This problem is extremely rare although a few users on other phpBB forum software...

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Got a strange one Pat & Sarah. I received a My first post notification so I clicked on it...It took me to page 324 . Seems to be 327 pages :think: :think: :think: Tried it 3x and same result..I went back to yesterdays email and the notification went through properly ..
J

As mentioned in the post 2017 - A Major New Year for the Site , an incredible amount of work has been spent on the new site structure, which will make the information on BIABrewer.info fast and easy to find.

In this thread, I'll try to explain the coming changes in a series of posts, which I'll endeavour to write every few days or so. These updates will include, but not be limited to:

Why 2017 and Not...

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NOTE: IF YOU USE GMAIL, PLEASE ADD OUR WEBMASTER EMAIL TO YOUR LIST OF SAFE SENDERS
Hi there shetc and thanks for your questions.

In the temporary skin (the one with green header) active topics can be changed at the bottom. In the Gold skin, this option is accessed by clicking the filter button arrowed in the pic below BUT that button is failing (see Update below).

In the new site structure, recipes will be much easier to find but I like your idea of being able to search for posts with...

Dear Homebrewing friends i start this thread in order to introduce SmartPID most andanced temperature and porcess controller for consumer market. In few words SmartPID Controller is a professionally engineered Hi-tech product for temperature and process control having lots of functions and features, which are not present in other or normal 'Thermostats'

Before entering technical details few words about the “philosophy” and idea behind the project

When I start designing the SmatPID I try to...

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Long time since last post and lot of things happens !
Many homebrewers adopted SmartPID controller and I got lot of feedback that allow me to enhance and improve either HW and SW
Before summer break (at least in north hemisphere it’s summer time !) just few update on the project

Still working on the improvement of the overall quality of the engineering of smartPID and from next batch I'm happy to announce that the front panel has been replaced with a new one.
Not just a graphical and...

ESP8266 handles all the sensors and controls the PID temperature regulation
Android App does all the glue and GUI

- import...

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Hi JP,

That looks like a lot of work... I applaud your efforts.

What was your EIB number (Efficiency Into Boil), and your wort OG? I take a more basic approach where the mash gets agitated with a potato masher a few times throughout the mashing process. Did not want to have a pump and additional hoses to set up and clean. For your additional labor, hope you can get at least a couple points higher efficiency numbers... ;) You may, and you may not. ;)

A few months ago, I was asked to post photos of my revisions to my Automated Single Vessel Brewing System (A-SVBS). Photos and info system was first documented here three years ago, link to that post.

Some of the readers of this post will be asking, Why, build a BIAB system like the one documented here? Good question, since BIAB brewing concepts as I understand them, to simplify the brewing process, simplify the equipment required, lower equipment cost and consistently brew excellent beer....

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No sight glass? How on earth do you know your volumes? :lol:

I am very impressed with your brew day history, competition entries, etc.
Hi MS,
At the present time I'm using a plastic spoon with markings every 1/2 to equal the volume in gallons.

I'm building a Sight Glass, hope to have installed on system very soon. Slight Glass will actually mount on wall behind SVBS with tube between BK and SG. On the SG will be 2 Capacitive Proximity Sensors mounted to the glass tube with the ability...

Don’t know for sure were to post this within the Forum structure, however since my SVABS is (If I'm using the wrong section of the Forum, maybe a Mod will move it to where it belongs.)

In my Intro I said would post photos, but I’m going to start with a .pdf of the sketch of my system with some dimensions and sizes. Hopefully this will help make the photos a little more understandable as I post them.

On the Sketch of the system I indicate that I’m using a Liquor tank, this is where I will...

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Welcome back Joe :clap: It's nice to see another active brewer here with an electric system.
MS

I’m an Italian homebrewer and I have started some moths ago a project in order to build a single vessel electric heated brewing system ..something similar to the well known Speidel Braumeister . The main driver behind this project was to build an “all in one” system very compact, light, easy to use, easy to clean system that implements the BIAB process and brewing philosophy

Now I’m completing last construction details and I’m near to close the “make” phase and start testing the system. In...

I purchased a Electrim mashing bin/boiler last year with the intention of doing All Grain brewing.

Does any one use one of these for BIAB?
And maybe have a step by step instructions on how they brew with it?

If so what sort of bag do you use?
what do you use to cover the element so it does not burn the grain?
What temp does each setting reach on there thermostat

Pics would help if possible

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Thanks Mally !

I've measured my evaporation and KFL across 4 brews so am reasonably happy with those numbers.

section G hop sock must have been a typo - I'll double check.

I will also use Irish ale yeast.

I'll have a play with the sparge v dilution and see what I come up with. One of the other members Pistol Patch has given me some pointers on dilution pre boil in his volume thread. I'll go back and reread everything to be sure.

Hi Guys,
first sorry for my english, i'll try to write at my best :roll: .

After one year messing on it, finally finished the brewery control panel, it will work on 26 gallon/100 liters (14g/52l of final product) Electric Biab setup with automatic stirrer. Panel is dual purpose, most exciting characteristic, auto and manual mode.

Will I be horribly shunned if I go the Braumeister route?
I believe it was what got this whole BIAB thing started wasn't it Pat?
I have always struggled with mash temps, thermometers and subzero ambient temps,and decided that I could afford the system and I like the control offered by it.
In the years to come it would make brewing a much easier option for me.I can see no hindrance to my association here and will probably still break out the bag and burner in the summer or if I should happen...

Hi all
My build is starting to take shape. I have an electrical housing box coming with an SCT-1000 and I have also ordered a 2 circuit rotor selector that I want to switch from mashing with the SCT and potentially a recirculating pump, then over to a full boil directly connected to the two heating elements...my pot is 72ltr. I hope to have everything plugged into a double outlet at the rear of the electrical housing and wanted to simply turn the switch so the full boil mode takes over from the...

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Should listen to my peers....panel worked well but was only 10amps....needless to say as it approached boil it frazzled.....new (more expensive) switch on its way! (Only a practice run with water thank goodness)

It was all linked up and working as I hoped as far as wiring goes, so not an entirely lost cause! Even fashioned a brilliant mounting system with indicator lights, labels and also attached a separate timer to it....a real thing of beauty!....and totally unesseccary, but hey!

For those who are interested I have completed an article on my blog Bobs Bittelille Bryggeri (= Bobs SuperSmall Brewery ). It is in Norwegian, but has some photos for illustration. Since a picture tells more than 1000 words (:-)), I hope that there might be something of interest for non-Norwegians too. You find the article here:

If you run it through Google Translate, you might even get an idea of what it says :-) Note that Paint basket is Mesh basket :-)

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thughes - Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that it would be (much) better to have the heatsink outside. joshua - thanks for your links! The control box look fantastic! By the way - for monitoring purposes and security, I do have a temperature sensor inside the box. I was very uncertain about the what amount of heat the Raspberry Pi and/or SSRs would generate. So far it is stable on the 27 degrees Celcius with the load of an ordinary oven.

Building a single vessel electric BIAB rig. Finished the e-kettle (except for installing the temp probe). Next up is building the control box, then fabricating some type of stand to put it all on.

The kettle is a 62 qt aluminum from Bayou Classic with the steamer basket. I installed 2 weldless bulkhead fittings, one for the drain valve and one for the sight glass (the temp probe will be installed in the sight glass tee). The rig is fired with a 5500w/240v heater element (installed ala Kal's...

I love brewing and electronics, but most of all I like things to be good and simple :thumbs:

Currently I'm using a small Biab setup to do my brewings. Recently I've done some brews that required multi-step mashing (I made a very good Duvel-like Belgium strong ale!).
Since I have a temperature controller, I could do this, but of course I needed to lift the bag to prevent burning or scorching the bag or grain on the bottom of my pan.

So I started thinking and designing an...

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Thanks Pat, no problems here, I already had version K some time. Will have another look at version T

I will definitely come back on the issue.... Heared the interviews with James Spencer as well....

Hi brewers thought I'd show you guys my biab stand I've been building. ready for a test run tomorow too see how it all runs. I still have a rims tube and control panel to mount just waiting on parts to arrive. Whilst I wait on these I'm making a stainless basket to replace my old grain bag.

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Hi onkeltuka feel free to harass me all you want lol
Did my first brew through it yesterday all went well except for the recirc of mash I milled grain for biab which was too fine I suspect as I had to stir grain from bottom to get it too drain properly. So I'm goin too have to open up my mill a bit on the next batch also goin to add more slits in bottom of basket to eliminate this problem hopefully. I ended up with 74% effeciency I didn't account for wort left in rims tube and hose in losses. I...

I thought I'd start a Braumeister thread as it seems there are quite a few units out there and they are very similar to a BIAB operation.

These are comments from my first use of mine and some from a fellow user.

After a comment by madscientist in his feedback on my recipe, I rang my supplier of the Braumeister to check on full volume mashing ala BIAB. They said a full volume mash was fine to do and the guy I spoke to has a 20L version and that's what he does. So we went full volume and didnt...

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Good idea Todd not sure why I didn't do that especially as they have the same thread title :lol:

I posted in the New Member Area that I have developed an Automatic Electric BIAB system that I'm working on making available to others. It is much less expensive than other commercialized options and easier to clean. Start to finish including cleanup in 4 hours for a 1 hour mash and 1 hour boil batch. It uses a 10 gallon kettle and yields 6 gallons tot he fermenter.

I have a preliminary web site set up with crude pictures and video I took during my last batch . I have developed a purpose built...

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Any comparisons between your system vs High Gravity Brewings system. Im in the market evaluating the options

My automation project is moving on (slowly) and I have or have ordered nearly all the bits I need to enable me to do step mashes in an electric urn.

But I'm struggling with one big issue how to get reliable temp measurements.

My initial thought is to use a humping great stirrer, but it would be big expensive and probably heavy. Another possibility is to use a pump and just swill some of the liquid about.

How do you get good readings? What has been tried and works?

Many Thanks. Aamcle

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aamcle,

A few folks on this forum found that a pump is probably over kill for BIAB. They had problems and abandoned it. Some people use a old ice cream stirrer to stir mash. The speed is about right and all you have to do is mount it on a board and lay it across the pot. I just use a 90 minute mash and maybe stir a couple of times.

For reliable temp measurements I use more than on thermometer. I use a digital that I can calibrate. I have a built in (bi-metal) probe in my keggel and a long...

image.jpg I've been reading this forum for years while extract brewing. Earlier this year I decided to pull the trigger and build an electric BIAB setup. I finally finished with it a month ago and brewed my first brew a few weeks ago. A Sam Adams Alpine Spring clone. From start to finish it took a little under 4:00 from pulling out the kettle to getting the fermentation bucket into my chamber and the cleaned kettle back into the corner of the garage where it stays. Thank you to everyone here...

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DrHops,
Thank you to everyone here but the knowledge and inspiration to finally ditch the propane tank forever!

I take total credit, your welcome! Thanks for doing the actual brewing and cleanup! Please deliver the beer and leave it at my garage door!

I'm would like to put together temperature controllers for mash and for fermentation using an arduino.

My son can take care of the coding and I'm going to do the physical build,it seems straight forward 2 x SSR plus a good temperature probe.

I can find Lots of discussion of PDI programming/tuning but very little on the actual build. I would like it to have a simple digital display and set up via panel buttons.

Can you recommend a probe type and point me to schematic/ circuit...

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I have gone quite a long way to coding an Arduino to control a mash temperature and time. I have also been playing around with timing and alarms for hop additions during the boil. The status is shown on a 16 x 4 LCD disply.

I agree with mirogster that the DS18B20 or DS18S20 are the way to go, much more accurate. I have enclosed mine in a 500mm length of stainless steel tube which has been TIG welded closed at one end, a 5 to 6mm internal dia tube will fit the probe complete with heat shrink...

...in the meantime I have found a sanke keg and I am going to use that. I think this is going to be a better way to go. I think the tank in post #1 is just too tall and narrow. Pulling the bag from it would be more like pulling a syringe plunger with your finger over the end as there is very little surface area for the wort to drain from. It could take forever.

Hey everyone, glad to be a new member of the forum!
I'll start off right away with picking your brain.

I'm building an electric biab setup with 5500 ULWD straight element. I will be recirculating with a chugger pump. I have the control panel complete and now it's time to make some holes in the kettle!
I'm trying to layout the holes for the kettle and wanted to make sure it makes sense. I have a 62 quart bayou classic with the steamer pot. I'm planning to put the ball valve about 1 from the...

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FWIW, mine is in the T after the outlet valve. Use recirculation during initial ramp up to mash temps then when recirculating during chilling with immersion chiller. Other than that, set the pid to a manual setting of 5% if you need to keep at mash temp and call it good. Not quite as simple as Todd but pretty close.

After thinking about it on and off for a couple of years, I decided that it was time to try out brewing.
Beeing on paternity leave, I have had some time to come up with different ideas for a build, (which has resulted in some strange ones) but in the end I decided to go for a simple BIAB pot with PID control.

*I went for a 25L pot (as this pot was really cheap, I would have prefered 30L) with a 2.4kW heating element.
The heating element is the one from PECOservices ,
quite often used by...

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If you have a manual setting on your pid, set it to about 4-5% and stir every 15-30 minutes. At that setting, the element is not putting off that much heat, so no scorching, and puts off just enough to keep the temp from dropping too much. I brew in my detached garage and, while having heat to keep it at 50-55*F, just leaving the kettle with no heat it loses too much, even if covered. KISH! (keep it simple homebrewer)

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